Eastern Illinois University Review

To request course information, please complete this form. You may request information from just one program, or several.

Before making decisions about your future, compare programs carefully. Think about what career is best suited for you, and where you want to study. Request more information now.

Information about Eastern Illinois University, career training programs, and sample multiple-choice tests. Browse a practical guide to online classes, MOOCs, admissions info, and financial aid. Depending on the schools you're applying to, the admissions process can range from a simple formula that weighs grades and test scores, to a subjective review of your whole application. Graduates with bachelors degrees earn an average of 60% more than employees with only a high school diploma, which adds up to more than
an $800,000 difference over a lifetime. In some instances, colleges may spot-check admissions applications for accuracy, such as requiring proof of an extracurricular activity or a summer internship. It's optimal to attempt the hardest courses that your high school offers, and the worst thing you can do is to drop a hard course just because you're receiving a low grade.

The US News college rankings take into account opinion surveys of university faculty, and college administrators. About half of colleges use a waiting list, particularly those which are more selective. One survey suggests that 30% of wait-listed students are eventually accepted, so applicants who are wait-listed should contact the admissions office of their top choice by phone, to declare that they will attend if accepted. Many community colleges have agreements with four-year schools, particularly flagship state universities, so that the transfer of credits is handled smoothly.

Test Prep, Sample Practice Tests

Most colleges accept either the SAT or ACT, and have formulas for converting scores into admissions' criteria. Colleges use these standardized tests because there are substantial differences in curricula, grading, and difficulty among US high schools. One benefit of the ACT test is that it allows the test-taker to select scores to send to specific colleges. The SAT test is more focused on testing reasoning ability while the ACT is a content-based test of achievement. Counselors suggest that students practice taking the test under actual testing conditions, and using a large watch with a sweeping second hand, rather than a digital display which may distract you.

On average, over half of juniors retaking the SAT as a senior saw improvements in their scores. These tests are designed to measure your accumulated knowledge over years of study. Further, Advanced Placement exams are offered in a variety of physical sciences, offering you college credit for honors-level classes that you have taken while still in high school. Test yourself with practice exams online, before visiting the College Board website to register to take your actual AP Tests. If you earn a score of 3 or higher on an AP Exam, you may be able to receive course credits or advanced placement, when you start college.

Guide to College Admissions

High school grades are the single most important factor in gaining admission to the college of your choice. Therefore, maintaining high grades is particularly important for the fall semester of senior year, as well as the winter semester if you're applying by regular admission, and not seeking early decision. Many colleges pay great attention to a student's grades throughout their senior year, not limited to academic performance in core courses, but in AP-level or honors courses as well. In fact, an ideal academic record is one of increasingly better grades, in courses of progressive difficulty.

Financial Aid Information

Academic scholarships are highly competitive, and are usually awarded either by the admissions office, or individual academic departments. Filing taxes early is recommended, but using estimates for FAFSA from previous years is possible provided the correct data is updated later after taxes are
filed for the current year. Student loans often carry an origination fee. Origination fees are a one-time charge based on the amount of the loan.

Federal Direct Student Loans, also known as Direct Loans, are funded by the US Treasury. Private student loans, however, are not guaranteed, and are offered directly to
students by a commercial bank, employee credit union, or finance company. Student loans should be seen as 'the measure of last resort,' as this entails graduating with substantial debt. Student credit cards may seem like a good short-term solution, but the interest rates are high, and credit
cards often carry an annual fee. If you do end up using credit cards to meet some expenses, pay off the outstanding balance in full every month. You can get a credit report online by
submitting a student credit card application, whether you are approved or not.

Scholarship Search, Government Grants

FastWeb.com is one of the leading scholarship services online. Both county and city governments have dedicated financial resources allocated for grants and scholarships to qualified students in their areas. College-specific scholarships are offered by individual colleges and universities to highly qualified students. Average students often ask whether there are any scholarships available to students who don't have a 4.0 GPA. In fact, there are many scholarships for average students, such as
athletic scholarships, music scholarships, and need-based scholarships.

Government scholarships and grants, combined with private scholarships, only account for a third of total college aid. Loans, earnings, and savings make up the remaining two thirds. In
exchange for a service commitment, the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program provides you with money for college while you're in school. Full ROTC scholarships pay for almost
all tuition, fees, and textbook costs for four years of college. Call 1-800-USA-ROTC Army for more information. When Federal student loans enter repayment, they are automatically enrolled in standard repayment. Under it, a borrower has 10 years to repay the total
amount of his or her student loan debt. Please note that financial aid application deadlines are strictly enforced by the financial aid office. The official FAFSA website is www.fafsa.ed.gov and is free. Copycat websites mimic the FAFSA website, but are deliberately misleading. A wealth of other financial aid forms are now available online.

Degree Program Info Request

To get information about degree programs, please complete this form. You may request free
information from just one program, or several. Before making decisions about your future, compare programs carefully. Think
about what career is best suited for you, and where you want to study. Request more information now.

Online Tests - Free Practice!

This section offers practice tests in a variety of academic subject areas. Each of the following multiple-choice tests has 10 questions to work on. No sign-up required, just straight to the test.

Other colleges near Charleston, Illinois:

Take a few moments to browse other colleges and universities near Charleston. It's a good idea to compare
all schools in the area, as well as consider taking some of your classes online, to save on tuition fees. By continuing your education, you can improve your salary prospects or train for a more interesting position. According to the Occupational Outlook Quarterly, from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, college graduates are twice as likely to find employment as those without a college degree in today's competitive job market. Further, it may be possible to receive degree credit via Advanced Placement exams, as well as through honors classes that you've taken.

Financial aid deadlines are typically scheduled well in advance of regular admission dates, so be sure to apply early. You may request free information from several different schools below, without making a commitment.

Reduce Tuition Expenses via Online Courses

Finishing college a year early reduces your overall tuition bill, while taking extra years to complete your
degree compounds tuition expenses, and delays entry into the workforce. To accomplish this end, look for online courses that may be applied to your degree requirements. Although the
cost of tuition is rising for most 4-year colleges and universities, community colleges and trade schools remain an affordable option for those looking to earn an associates degree. The
average community college student graduates with only a few thousand dollars in debt, compared to bachelors degree graduates. Beyond the cost of college tuition, students will face an array of additional expenses. Taking on work-study or starting an online business may help.

Doing business online is a great option to supplement your income while still a student. By registering a domain name, pointing the name servers to your hosting company, then building an
active website in HTML or via a WordPress template, you're in the game. Similar to magazine page layout, website design includes the fields of graphic design, copywriting, and search engine optimization (SEO). Success is governed by two factors, visitor traffic and online
sales conversions. Technical training programs are a low-cost alternative to attending college, and you might end up earning a lot of money as a highly-skilled, technical consultant.

Engineering Testing and Certification

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, also referred to as the Engineer in Training (EIT) exam, is the first of two examinations that engineers must pass in order to be licensed as a
Professional Engineer in the United States. The exam is open to anyone with a degree in engineering, or who is currently enrolled in the last year of an ABET-accredited engineering degree
program. The exam is eight hours long altogether, split into two four-hour sessions. The morning session is a 120-question test, while the afternoon session consists of 60 questions and
covers more depth. Topics include:

Results are mailed approximately 2 months after the test date, and students who pass are designated Engineer In Training or Engineer Intern, depending on each state's engineering
licensure board. After completing an 4-year apprenticeship, an EIT qualifies to take the Professional Engineer (PE) exam, for certification and licensure. For study purposes, an engineering
testing handbook may be downloaded from the NCEES website, the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and
Surveying. Advanced Placement exams are offered in a variety of physical sciences, offering you college credit for honors-level classes that you have taken while still in high school. Test yourself with free practice exams online, before visiting the College Board website to register to take your
actual AP Tests. If you earn a score of 3 or higher on an AP Exam, you may be able to receive course credits, or advanced placement, when you start college. You must request that the
College Board send your official AP score report to the colleges of your choice, either at the time of testing or afterwards, through a score report request.

Medical Jobs and Nursing

In the field of medical care, the following occupations are ranked in the fastest-growing job categories by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational therapists treat patients with injuries, illnesses, or
disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Occupational therapy assistants work
under the direction of occupational therapists in treating patients with injuries, illnesses.

The following medical jobs provide
challenging career paths, as well as competitive starting salaries with excellent advancement prospects. Continuing education
will be required to keep abreast of the advancements in your chosen field.Medical laboratory technicians collect samples and perform tests
to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances. Medical assistants complete administrative and
clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners.
Nuclear medicine technologists use a scanner to create images of
various areas of a patient’s body. They prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients
undergoing the scans. The radioactive drugs cause abnormal areas of the body to appear different
from normal areas in the images.

If you can pass the rigorous training program, nursing jobs are increasingly available, due to the aging
US population, as well as the increased quality of healthcare services.
Registered nurses (RN), and licensed vocational nurses (LVN), provide patient care and emotional support to patients. Diagnostic medical
sonographers use ultrasound imaging equipment that directs sound waves into a patient’s body, in a procedure
commonly known as a sonogram, or echocardiogram, to diagnose medical conditions.

NAIA Scores

NJCAA Scores

Athletic Training Exercises

In the weight room, don't be fooled by players who are always pumping iron. It takes a lot more than big muscles to
succeed in college sports. Players are becoming more agile, and developing superior game skills every year. You need to develop muscle strength as well, it's true, but your primary focus in
weight training should be to use the equipment to help you develop strength along a natural range of motion. If your school doesn't have advanced machinery in the weight room, you're better off using free weights, and pulley systems that allow you to copy the same
motions you make when playing.

Track stars have revealed the secret to developing running speed. By controlling your breathing, you can supply oxygen to your muscles before they start to cramp up. As lactic acid builds up, and muscle fatigue sets in, untrained players think they've reached their limit. Track stars, and well-coached basketball teams, train by sprinting short
distances, over and over. It's not fun, but it works. After a few months of training, the lungs begin to process oxygen more efficiently, and players find that they can run long distances non-
stop, or sprint for a longer period of time. To improve your endurance for long-distance running, drag a small car tire behind you, tied onto a long rope around your waist.

Online Course Listings

Given the need for students to cut costs, it's a good idea to browse the various online courses that you can take. Whether you're working full-time, or already a student at a regular degree program, you can take classes online that may complete requirements, especially in lower-level courses. Conversely, if you have trouble completing a particular subject, like organic chemistry or statistics, taking the class online can help you pass. You don't have to take notes because everything is recorded, and you can review videos as many times as you want to.

Eastern Illinois University has a reputation for academics,
allowing you to pursue the degree
program that's right for you.
Additionally, career placement services
can help you to structure your job search
after graduation. If you'd like to request course information,
please use the inquiry form at the top of this page.

This website is not affiliated with Eastern Illinois University, and all trademarks are the exclusive property of their respective owners. College Inspector is the work of a group of Thai students in Bangkok, utilizing public-domain resources from the US Department of Education, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). If any of the statistics for listed colleges or universities are incorrect, please contact us with the right data. If you wish, you can email us a fresh page to replace your school's listing completely. College Inspector enables students and adult learners to find US colleges, universities, and career training programs that match their higher education needs.